Post navigation

Originally released by Ertha Kitt in 1953, this everblue piece was written by Joan Javits and Philip Springer. Besides being funny and over-the-top, Kylie Minogue adds an extra something to this version.

My friend DC would spend some time looking for images of great beauty. For a while he posted a selection every day, but eventually deleted them all, preferring to leave his site “with calories only, no filler.”

Here is one selection I rescued. He always said there was a theme to them, but never explained what it was, even/especially to me!

This mantra is from the Rig Veda, one of the sacred texts of Hinduism, sung here by Hein Braat, who composed the melody. Wikipedia gives this mantra a special significance around death – which is the gateway to freedom and rebirth.

It was introduced to Aerist as having been chanted by the Dalai Lama, with a complicated but engaging back-story. As the Dalai Lama is obviously Buddhist, it seems unlikely he would record this.

Originally written for the Boston Pops orchestra, and a staple of winter concerts everywhere, surely one of everyone’s favourite piecces.

This version was chosen because it is slightly slower than Leroy Anderson’s own version, which was played at a white-knuckle-ride pace. Also, I find the spoken introduction pleasing – the music starts at 1:18.

Played here by the RTÉ Concert Orchestra conducted by David Brophy as part of the Mooney Tunes concert on Sunday 19 December 2010, at the Grand Canal Theatre, Dublin.

For those who wish to research the (surprisingly very good) Ronnettes’ version, it is Here(Link)